U.S. patent number 4,732,397 [Application Number 06/858,341] was granted by the patent office on 1988-03-22 for cast in place combination aperture closure member and pipe seal for fluid distribution box.
Invention is credited to Norman Gavin.
United States Patent |
4,732,397 |
Gavin |
March 22, 1988 |
Cast in place combination aperture closure member and pipe seal for
fluid distribution box
Abstract
A seal and closure member of elastomeric material adapted to be
cast in situ and comprising a cylindrical body portion and an
integral frusto-conical skirt therewithin. A radially outwardly
extending flange is embedded in adjacent concrete. The skirt has a
knock-out web at its smaller diameter end portion and the seal and
closure member may thus be employed selectively as closure members
for apertures in distribution boxes and the like and as seals for
pipes in communication with the box interiors.
Inventors: |
Gavin; Norman (North Haven,
CT) |
Family
ID: |
25328080 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/858,341 |
Filed: |
May 1, 1986 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
277/606; 277/609;
277/617; 277/626; 277/917; 285/192; 285/223; 285/4; 52/21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16L
41/03 (20130101); F16L 55/10 (20130101); F16L
41/088 (20130101); Y10S 277/917 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F16L
41/02 (20060101); F16L 41/08 (20060101); F16L
55/10 (20060101); F16L 41/03 (20060101); F16J
015/10 () |
Field of
Search: |
;277/1,9,9.5,11,27A,DIG.2,DIG.10 ;52/20,21 ;285/3,4,23,230,304 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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|
|
269007 |
|
Mar 1969 |
|
AT |
|
964043 |
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Mar 1975 |
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CA |
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3136315 |
|
Mar 1983 |
|
DE |
|
142578 |
|
Jul 1980 |
|
DD |
|
1211238 |
|
Nov 1970 |
|
GB |
|
Primary Examiner: Ward; Robert S.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Razzano; Pasquale A.
Claims
I claim:
1. A combination aperture closure and low pressure seal for an
exterior surface of a pipe adapted to be mounted in a cylindrical
aperture and to receive an end portion of a pipe in a
monolithically cast fluid distribution box or the like of the
cementitious material; said seal being composed of molded
elastomeric material and comprising an annular body portion having
generally cylindrical inner and outer surfaces, the former defining
a central cylindrical pipe receiving opening which extends axially
through the body portion and the latter engagable with the aperture
wall, an integral annular flange on said body portion extending
generally radially outwardly and adapted to be embedded in the cast
cementious material about the aperture during casting of said box
whereby to secure the seal in position in the aperture, and a
hollow generally frusto-conical sealing skirt formed integrally at
its larger diameter end portion with the seal body portion and
projecting inwardly at an angle between radial and axial planes,
the smaller diameter end portion of said sealing skirt being
slightly smaller in diameter than the pipe to be received and being
disposed radially inwardly from said inner cylindrical body surface
and free to expand diametrically, and frusto-conical sealing skirt
being adapted to receive and guide an end portion of a pipe
introduced at its said larger diameter end portion and urged toward
and axially through its said free smaller diameter end portion
whereby to slightly diametrically expand said free end portion and
thus to establish firm frictional engagement and effective sealing
thereof with the exterior peripheral surface of the pipe, said seal
further including a knock-out web which takes a substantially
circular disc configuration and which extends radially across the
smaller diameter free end portion of the frusto-conical sealing
skirt, said web being molded integrally with the skirt and having
an integrally molded weakened narrow annular portion adjacent the
skirt free end portion to facilitate web knock-out so that said
seal can serve a dual purpose selectively as a closure for an
associated aperture and a seal for a pipe entered in the
aperture.
2. A seal as set forth in claim 1 wherein said annular radially
outwardly extending flange has an integral annular rim at an outer
portion thereof, said rim projecting generally radially from the
flange for secure retention in the cast cementious material.
3. A seal as set forth in claim 2 wherein a plurality of
circumaxially spaced small integrally formed generally triangular
gussets are provided in axial planes and between said flange and
body portion.
4. A seal as set forth in claim 1 wherein said frusto-conical skirt
is formed integrally with the body portion of the seal at the
larger diameter end portion of the skirt and at a front end portion
of the body portion.
5. A seal as set forth in claim 4 wherein the axial dimension of
said skirt is such that it does not project beyond the rear end
portion of said body portion.
6. A seal as set forth in claim 4 wherein said skirt projects
inwardly at an angle between 10.degree. and 45.degree. from the
axis of the seal opening.
7. A seal as set forth in claim 6 wherein said skirt projects at
approximately a 20.degree. angle from the axis.
8. A seal as set forth in claim 1 wherein said weakened annular
portion of said web takes the form of a narrow band of reduced
thickness but imperforate elastomeric material.
9. A seal as set forth in claim 1 wherein said skirt projects
inwardly at an angle between 10.degree. and 45.degree. from the
axis of the seal opening.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a dual purpose pipe seal and
closure member for use in low pressure installations as for example
septic field distribution boxes and septic tanks. A relatively slow
and tedious grouting procedure is commonly used in sealing pipes
having end portions in communication with the interior of septic
field distribution boxes, etc.
It is the general object of the present invention to provide a pipe
seal and closure member which may be cast in situ and which may
thereafter be readily employed either as a closure member or as a
rapidly assembled and effective seal about an end portion of a pipe
in communication with the interior of a distribution box or the
like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In fulfillment of the foregoing object a seal and closure member of
an elastomeric material provided and adapted to be mounted in a
cylindrical aperture and to receive an end portion of a pipe in a
monolithically cast distribution box or the like of cementitious
material.
The seal comprises an annular elastomeric body portion having
generally cylindrical inner and outer surfaces with the former
defining a central cylindrical pipe receiving opening which extends
axially through the body portion and the latter engageable with the
aperture wall. An integral annular flange on the body portion
extends generally radially outwardly and is adapted to be embedded
in the cast cementitious material about the aperture whereby to
secure the seal in position in the aperture. A hollow generally
frusto-conical sealing skirt is formed integrally at its larger
diameter end portion with the body portion of the seal and projects
inwardly at an angle between radial and axial planes. The skirt
departs from the axial direction at an angle between 10 and 45
degrees and preferably at an angle in the neighborhood of 20
degrees. The smaller diameter end portion of the sealing skirt is
slightly smaller in diameter than the pipe to be received thereby
and is disposed radially inwardly from the inner cylindrical
surface of the body portion of the seal. Thus, the said smaller end
portion of the skirt is free for at least a nominal degree of
expansion diametrically.
As will be apparent, with the seal mounted in an aperture in a
distribution box or the like, the frusto-conical sealing skirt is
adapted to receive and guide an end portion of a pipe which may be
introduced at its larger diameter end portion and urged toward and
axially through its said smaller and free end portion. This results
in a slight expansion diametrically of the free end portion of the
skirt and in any event serves to establish firm frictional
engagement and effective sealing between the skirt and the exterior
peripheral surface of the pipe. Preferably during assembly, the
pipe end portion is urged axially through the skirt a short
distance and then retracted for good sealing engagement.
Axial misalignment between pipe and seal is readily accommodated by
the skirt with the pipe as much as 15 degrees out of axial
alignment.
As mentioned, a dual purpose is envisioned for the seal and closure
member and this is accomplished with the provision of a knock-out
web which takes the form of a substantially circular disk and which
extends radially across the smaller diameter or free end portion of
the frusto-conical sealing skirt of the seal. The web is formed
integrally with the skirt and is provided with a weakened narrow
annular portion adjacent the free end portion of the skirt whereby
to facilitate web knock-out. That is, preferably, a narrow annular
band of reduced thickness is provided at the junction between the
knock-out web and the smaller diameter end portion of the skirt. As
will be apparent, the seal can be cast in situ during precasting of
a septic field distribution box or the like and each such seal may
be provided with a knock-out web. Thereafter, with a number of
apertures and corresponding seals in the distribution box, those
apertures which are to be provided with pipes may be selected and
the corresponding knock-out webs may be removed as by means of a
punching action with a screw driver. The pipe end portions may then
be engaged or assembled with the seals as described above and the
remaining seal and closure members may be left in the aperture
closing conditon with their knock-out webs intact.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view partially broken away for clarity of
illustration, and showing somewhat schematically a septic field
distribution box with two (2) end portions of pipes entered in
apertures therein and in communication with the interior
thereof.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of a seal and closure member
constructed in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged end view of a seal and closure member taken
generally as indicated at 3, 3 in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a section through the seal and closure member taken
generally as indicated at 4, 4 in FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary section through a portion of a distribution
box and shows a seal and closure member cast in situ with portions
of associated forms.
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but shows a portion of a form in
a retracted position.
FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIGS. 5 and 6 but with the forms
omitted and with the knock-out web in a knock-out operation.
FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but with an end portion of a
pipe entered into sealing engagement with the seal of the present
invention.
FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 but showing a portion of the
distribution box, a pipe seal, and a severely misaligned end
portion of a pipe.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring particularly to FIG. 1, a septic field distribution box
as indicated generally at 10 and is of a conventional
monolithically cast construction and of a cementitious material, as
shown, concrete. The box has an aperture 12 in each end wall and
two (2) apertures 14, 14 in each of its side walls. As illustrated,
one end wall aperture 12 is provided with a pipe 16 and one of the
two apertures in the front side wall of the box is similarly
provided with a pipe 16. The remaining apertures are unused and are
each provided with a seal and closure member 18 so as to prevent
flow therethrough. Seal and closure members 18, 18 associated with
the pipes 16, 16 shown have been converted to pipe seals by removal
of their knock-out webs.
Referring to FIGS. 2 through 4, it will be observed that the seal
end closure member 18 includes an annular body portion 20, FIG. 4,
which has generally cylindrical inner and outer surfaces 22, 24. As
shown in FIG. 4, there is a slight relative inclination of the
surfaces 22, 24 from right to left or front to rear with the body
portion thus becoming somewhat thinner in progression toward the
rear. Various other configurations fall within the scope of the
invention. The inner cylindrical surface 22 defines a central
cylindrical pipe receiving opening which extends axially through
the body portion 20. The outer cylindrical surface 24 is engageable
with the wall of an aperture in a distribution box such as the box
10 in a manner to be more fully described hereinbelow.
As best illustrated in FIG. 4, an integral annular flange extends
generally radially outwardly from the body portion 20 at 26. The
flange 26 may optionally carry a rim 28 at an outer portion thereof
and which extends generally axially therefrom. The flange 26 and
rim 28 are adapted to be embedded in cast cementitious material
about an aperture whereby to secure the seal and closure member in
position in the aperture. Precasting of the seal and closure member
in situ will be further described hereinbelow.
Preferably, a plurality of circumaxially spaced small integrally
formed generally triangular gussets 30, 30 are provided and each
such gusset extends in an axial plane between the flange 26 and the
body portion 20. As shown in FIG. 3, eight (8) gussets 30, 30 are
provided. Further, annular strengthening ribs may be provided in
the body portion 20 as illustrated at 32, 32.
A hollow generally frusto-conical sealing skirt 34 is formed
integrally at a larger diameter end portion 36 with the seal body
portion 20 and projects inwardly at an angle between radial and
axial planes as best illustrated in FIG. 4. The smaller diameter
end portion 38 of the skirt 34 is slightly smaller in diameter than
the external diameter of the pipe to be received therethrough and
is disposed radially inwardly from the inner cylindrical body
surface 22 and is thus free to expand diametrically. Annular
strengthening ribs may also be provided as at 40, 40 in the body of
the skirt 34.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the skirt 34 is provided at its free end
portion 38 with a knock-out web 42 which takes the form of a
substantially circular disk and which extends radially across the
said free end portion of the skirt. The knock-out web 42 is formed
integrally with the skirt 34 and has a weakened narrow annular
portion adjacent the skirt free end portion to facilitate web
knock-out. Preferably and as illustrated, the weakened annular
portion of the web 42 takes the form of a narrow band 44 of reduced
thickness but imperforate elastomeric material which interconnects
the skirt end portion 38 and the web 42.
The skirt 34 preferably resides at an angle between 10.degree. and
45.degree. with the axis of the aperture and seal as indicated at
46 and, more particularly, it is presently believed that an angle
in the neighborhood of 20.degree. will provide optimum results. The
material of the seal and closure member may vary widely within the
scope of the invention and, for example, may comprise any of a
number of known thermoplastic materials.
In FIGS. 8 and 9, the manner in which a seal 18 cooperates with a
pipe 16 in assembly is illustrated, the knock-out web 42 having
first been removed as by means of a punching operation with a screw
driver 48 as in FIG. 7. With the pipe 26 moved axially rightwardly
in FIG. 8, it will be apparent that its end portion may be
introduced to the sealing skirt 34 and urged toward and axially
through its free or smaller diameter end portion. Preferably, the
pipe is moved rightwardly from the position shown in FIG. 8 through
a distance of a few inches and then retracted to the position shown
in order to establish firm frictional engagement and effective
sealing between the exterior peripheral surface of the pipe and the
skirt 34. In FIG. 9, a pipe 16 is illustrated in a condition of
severe axial misalignment as compared with the substantially
precise axial alignment of the pipe 16 in FIG. 8. That is, the pipe
16 in FIG. 9 is perhaps as much as 15.degree. in axial misalignment
with an axis 46 of seal 18. Nevertheless, as shown, the skirt 34 is
capable of accommodating such misalignment of the pipe and the
skirt remains in firm engagement and in good sealing contact with
the exterior surface of the pipe.
Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the manner in which the seal may be
cast in situ is illustrated. A portion of a foam core is shown at
50 with a portion of a foam jacket illustrated at 52. The jacket 52
is adapted for movement relative to the core and may be swung from
the FIG. 5 position to the FIG. 6 position as illustrated. With the
core 50 and jacket 52 in the relative positions of FIG. 5, a plug
54 carried by the jacket 52 may be employed to mount a seal and
closure member 18 as illustrated. That is, the seal and closure
member may be fitted on and about the plug internally of the core
and jacket. Subsequently, and during casting of the concrete 56
forming a portion of the distribution box or other precast
structure, the seal and closure member serves as an integral part
of the form together with the core 50, the jacket 52, and the plug
54. That is, the concrete 56 is cast about the seal and the seal
serves to partially define an aperture 14 in the cast structure.
The remaining portion of the aperture 14 is defined by the plug 54,
and when the jacket 52 and the plug 54 are swung in a
counterclockwise direction as illustrated in FIG. 6, the cast
structure may be removed from the core 50 to provide a seal and
closure member containing aperture 14, as best illustrated in FIG.
7. Thereafter, the seal and closure member 18 may be employed
selectively to close aperture the 14 or to seal a pipe therein
respectively by retention or removal of the knock-out web 42.
From the foregoing, it will be apparent that a highly effective
dual purpose seal and closure member has been provided. Apertures
in distribution boxes and the like may be selectively closed or
provided with pipes in communication with the interior or the box
merely through the selective removal of appropriate knock-out webs.
A quickly assembled and efficient sealing operation of a desired
number of pipes is provided for in the distribution boxes and the
like and the seal and closure members can be provided at
substantial economic advantage as a result of the casting of the
same in place during casting of the boxes or the like.
* * * * *